Removing Front Fender/Front Tire Rub

**korge** · 09-03-2010, 11:30 PM

Okay.

New tires were just put on today and they are great (Dunlop D404s) however I have encountered an issue. The guy who put it on said it was the same size replacement as my old bridgestones.

When I test rode the bike this afternoon, I realized that a majority of the right side of the tire was rubbing the front fender.

Since I planned on removing the front fender anyways, I proceeded to give it a try.

I found a 10mm and tried to remove the bolts holding the fender on and while the fit is right, the cheap bolts will not come off and are starting to strip the heads.

Is there a legit way to get the thing off? Im assuming you would need to remove the speedo cable as well. Is this dangerous to messing up my odometer?

Another thing Im thinking the problem is is that the wheel is not center aligned and therefore is only rubbing on one side. Either way, Im thinking this tire is larger than the old bridgestones.

**Buickguy** · 09-03-2010, 11:48 PM

Whe I stuck a 100/90-18 on the front of my Reb, I did have to slightly tweak the fender. By slightly pushing on spots of the fender the bigger tire fit,
Really, it is easiest to remove the fender with the front wheel off.
A good six point socket is the best bet on those bolts.

One thing you might want to consider. The front fender acts as a brace for the forks.
You can live without that brace but having both sliders tied together like that is a bit more stable. If you really want to get rid of the fender, you could fabricate some form of brace to give the torsional rigidity that the fender provided.

**korge** · 09-03-2010, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buickguy

Whe I stuck a 100/90-18 on the front of my Reb, I did have to slightly tweak the fender. By slightly pushing on spots of the fender the bigger tire fit,
Really, it is easiest to remove the fender whith the front wheel off.
A good six point socket is the best bet on those bolts.

One thing you might want to consider. The front fender acts as a brace for the forks.
You can live without that brace but having both sliders tied together like that is a bit more stable. If you really want to get rid of the fender, you could fabricate some form of brace to give the torsional rigidity that the fender provided.

I did not consider that, and now that I have, Im starting to not like the idea of having the front shocks not being braced together.

Ill give your first suggestion a try.

**flitecontrol** · 09-04-2010, 12:13 AM

Soaking with penetrating fluid for a day or so, tapping (lightly) with a hammer, applying more fluid, then using an impact driver will usually get them to break loose. If they are really stubborn, once they begin to turn, alternately loosen then tighten them, gradually getting them to turn freely. This will usually avoid twisting them off.

**Fridgitator** · 09-04-2010, 01:41 AM

I'm not comfortable with a tire of stock size rubbing your fender. Something about that just isn't right. Either the tire is wrong, the fender is damaged, or something else is not where it is supposed to be. Have there been any mods made to your front end that you know of?

**Guba** · 09-04-2010, 02:16 AM

I ordered a new tire today. I had to order because no one locally had one in stock. Both places kept steering me to the 100/90-18's, and I told them both that I'd like the stock tire. When they started looking in the catalog for my tire, both of them said that the tire didn't exist in their catalogs. At the last place there was a knowledgeable employee that overheard what was going on. He stated that the tire I was looking for had to be ordered direct from Honda.

Korge, I'm thinking that the place just substituted a 100/90-18 to satisfy your need for a tire and for them to make a sale. He also might not have known to order direct from Honda.

**Fridgitator** · 09-04-2010, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guba

I ordered a new tire today. I had to order because no one locally had one in stock. Both places kept steering me to the 100/90-18's, and I told them both that I'd like the stock tire. When they started looking in the catalog for my tire, both of them said that the tire didn't exist in their catalogs. At the last place there was a knowledgeable employee that overheard what was going on. He stated that the tire I was looking for had to be ordered direct from Honda.

Korge, I'm thinking that the place just substituted a 100/90-18 to satisfy your need for a tire and for them to make a sale. He also might not have known to order direct from Honda.

I bet you're right.

**darkrein** · 09-04-2010, 07:34 AM

i just got my bike and the PO said he just replaced the tires.. so i figured i would go see what he came up with... the front is a barracuda v 100/80/18.. and it has about 3/4 inch between the tire and fender.. the rear was a 130/90/15 perrelli... just saying thats what he used... bike seems to handle fine..

Willie

**flitecontrol** · 09-04-2010, 09:19 AM

My Pirelli MT66 tires are stock size and didn't come from Honda. No fender rubbing problems at all. Ordered from jakewilson.com, and they have a coupon code for 10% off, just ask salesperson for it or google it.

Look at how the tire fits on the rim. Make sure the bead is seated evenly on both sides.

**jax** · 09-04-2010, 10:40 AM

I have had the same problem with the front fender rubbing on the new tire. Buickguy is right sometimes the front fender gets a twist in it and will rub on one side. I have pushed and pulled the fender a bit to get it stop rubbing. Need to keep a eye on it though sometimes it will move back and rub, so you need to do more pushing and pulling to get it back to not rubbing.
Good luck

Ride safe

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